Nestlé in the United States and NEA Healthy Futures today announced new guides designed for families. Take Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives will enable parents and caregivers to work with their children to eat better, be more active, unplug and recharge – all of which will ultimately lead to their children living healthier lives.

The new family guide entitled “Take Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives Together” and aimed at school children in grades K-6, will be introduced at the 2015 National Education Association (NEA) Expo in Orlando, FL on July 1-2, 2015. Educators will be able to take the family guides back to their schools and classrooms where they can share it with parents and caregivers during events such as Back-to-School Night, School Fitness Night or parent-teacher conferences. The free family guides will be available in English and Spanish at www.nestleusa.com/healthysteps.

“Take Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives includes important lessons for families to consider making a part of their daily routines, which will enable their children to develop the best life habits,” said Sanjay Sehgal, Vice President Nutrition Health & Wellness at Nestlé USA. “Staying active, watching the foods you eat, taking the necessary breaks from technology and getting appropriate rest are all key components to ensuring we have a positive effect on our children’s physical, social and emotional well-being. We’re proud to expand our partnership with the National Education Association to make these valuable resources available to parents who are encouraging healthier habits for their children.”

This resource will help families sustain a nurturing environment for their children at a critical time in their growth and development trajectory. It provides 10 information and activity sheets that include recommendations for leading a healthier life such as eating, exercise and resting habits; suggested books for children related to each of those topics; and how to engage and make it fun for children.

“These materials are great tools for both parents/caregivers and children to work together to decide what should go into their lunchbox and on the dinner plate, as well as to come up with ways to be active together and, importantly, unplug from their digital lives at regular intervals,” said Jim Bender, Executive Director of NEA Healthy Futures, “We’re pleased to partner with Nestlé again to develop these materials, which remind us to find simple ways to take care of each other and ourselves – whether it’s drawing a hopscotch course on your driveway, taking a few laps around the block after dinner or establishing a ‘no device in the bedroom’ rule.”

The guide also offers valuable tips on the importance of “unplugging” in today’s environment of ubiquitous computer, tablet, mobile phone and television screens. The recommendations include going “screen free” for meals, which helps families slow down to pay attention to what they eat and offsetting screen time with activities such as family walks or bike rides. Additionally, the guide highlights the need for “recharging” as families are finding their “to-do” list growing while trying to fit in homework and meals with busy work and after-school schedules.

This program is the latest collaboration between Nestlé and NEA Healthy Futures to help teachers and families guide children to develop healthy eating and living habits. Previously, Nestlé and NEA Healthy Futures created and disseminated the “Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives Teacher’s Guides” for grades K-3 and grades 3-6. Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives was originally created by Nestlé USA in 2005, and is part of the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme, a larger global commitment by Nestlé to create shared value through nutrition, health and wellness awareness among school age children.

About Nestlé in the United States

Nestlé in the United States consists of seven main businesses: Nestlé USA, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Nestlé Waters North America, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Professional, Nespresso and Nestlé Health Science. Together, these companies operate in more than 120 locations in 47 states and employ over 51,000 people. The United States is Nestlé S.A.’s largest market with combined product sales in the United States totaling more than $26 billion in 2014.

Committed to being recognized and trusted as the leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness company, Nestlé in the United States provides nutritious, healthy food for every member of the family at every stage of life: infants and toddlers, families, athletes, mature adults/grandparents, and pets. Key brands include LEAN CUISINE®, NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE®, NESTLÉ® PURE LIFE®, POLAND SPRING®, GERBER®, STOUFFER’S®, NESCAFÉ® and PURINA ONE®

About National Education Association Healthy Futures
NEA Healthy Futures exists to improve the lives and opportunities of educators and students. We believe the health and safety of our students, educators, and learning environments are essential to great public schools. We advocate for and inspire educators to support the “whole child,” which means giving students the academic and nonacademic support they deserve so they can succeed in school and in life. Formerly known as the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN), NEA Healthy Futures is an independent section 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization that works closely with the National Education Association (NEA), its affiliates, and its members. Learn more at www.NEAHealthyFutures.org.